Hurricanes Drench Team Six, 25-20

Saturday, February 12, 2011 -- Despite two slow middle quarters offensively, the Hurricanes pulled together in the fourth quarter to ride out a victory over an evenly matched Team Six on Saturday.
 

Hurricane fast break

 The Hurricanes started the game out strong but cautious, shooting 4 for 8 from the floor, passing effectively, and displaying their trademark tight quick-handed defense, as exhibited by Daniel, who returned from a week-long virus to snag a key rebound and hold his man scoreless in throughout the quarter.

Daniel returned to the floor
to hold his oppontent
scoreless

        
 

Jordan with a key grab

 Team Six  set out from the beginning to prove that they could compete both offensively and defensively, putting on an impressive passing show of their own, and consistently throwing a half court trap at the Hurricane guards.



Allen on the run

 In the second quarter, Team Six began to chip away at the Hurricane momentum and lead, forcing a few key turnovers, holding the Hurricanes to 2 points (1 for 8 shots from the floor), and pulling within three points at half time, 13-10.
 

Michael vying for a rebound


If the second quarter was bad for the Hurricanes, the third quarter was a nightmare, as Team Six continued to set up wall after wall, and the Hurricane shots continued to bounce off the rim and the backboard (1 for 16 = 6.25% from the floor).


Nick stifles Team Six's offense

MUCH to the Hurricanes' credit, it was only their shots that weren not on target...they continued to protect the ball and pass the ball well, and their defense held Team Six to 5 points, behind Nick's blocked shot, assist, and 2 rebounds, bringing the third quarter to a close in a 15-15 tie.

Quick transition:  Conrad with an outlet pass to Carlos

As is their custom, the Hurricanes turned up the heat in the fourth quarter, and regained momentum behind a key 3-pointer by Conrad, and two buckets from Patrick, who finished the night with 5 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assists. 

Carlos:  Shutting down the
big men

The Hurricanes' shooting improved to 45% (5 of 11 from the floor) in the fourth quarter, as their defense clearly frustrated Team Six's key players.  Although the shots weren't dropping for Hurricane centers Carlos and Michael, the tag-team in the middle held their counterparts to four points, blocked out Team Six's big men from the paint, and grabbed timely rebounds to help maintain the Hurricanes' momentum. Hurricane guards Jordan and Allen combined  for 3 rebounds, 5 steals, and 5 broken up plays.


Conrad with a key 4th quarter 3-pointer


The Hurricanes increased the distance of their lead just enough to absorb the 4 point run of Team Six during the last minute of the fourth quarter, finally closing the game with a 25-20 victory.